in relation to: notification of applications for review; non-disclosure of certain information; the method of giving documents or things for the purposes of proceedings; tribunal members’ powers to dismiss certain applications; and the reinstatement of withdrawn applications; the

Bankruptcy Act 1996

in relation to: confidentiality requirements relating to statements of affairs; removal of certain requirements to notify, and lodge requests with, the Official Receiver; imposition of time limits for certain applications; and removal of an obsolete reference; the

Evidence Act 1995

to make a drafting change; the

Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999

to: provide arresters with the power to use reasonable force to enter premises to execute an arrest warrant; and remove an obsolete reference; the

Federal Court of Australia Act 1976

in relation to: the jury empanelment process; the pre-trial process for indictable offences; and technical amendments; the

International Arbitration Act 1974

in relation to: enforcement of foreign arbitral awards; confidentiality provisions to arbitral proceedings; and technical amendments; and 10 Acts to make consequential amendments.

The bill: requires Government boards to comprise of at least 40 per cent men and 40 per cent women; and provides for annual reporting requirements in relation to the gender composition of Government boards.

The bill: establishes the Office of Animal Welfare as an independent statutory authority with responsibility for advising on the protection of animal welfare in Commonwealth regulated activities; provides for the functions, appointment, and terms and conditions of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO); provides for staff and consultants; establishes the Office of Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to advise the CEO; and provides for reporting requirements.

Introduced with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bill 2015, the bill: amends the

Ombudsman Act 1976

to enable the Commonwealth Ombudsman to transfer complaints to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO); and enables the Australian Small Business Commissioner to disclose to the ASBFEO relevant information and documents for the purposes of the ASBFEO’s functions.

Introduced with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2015, the bill: establishes the position of Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman to advocate for, and give assistance to, small business and family enterprises by providing for the Ombudsman’s: powers and functions, terms and conditions of appointment, and powers of delegation; and provides: for staffing matters; for other governance requirements; for disclosure of protected information; for review of certain decisions; and that state or territory laws are not excluded by the operation of this legislation.

to: extend and simplify the ordinary waiting period for all working age payments from 1 July 2015; extend youth allowance (other) to 22 to 24 year olds in lieu of newstart allowance and sickness allowance from 1 July 2016; provide for a four-week waiting period for certain persons aged under 25 years applying for youth allowance (other) or special benefit from 1 July 2016; and pause indexation on certain income free and income test free areas and thresholds for three years; the

Social Security Act 1991

and

Social Security (Administration) Act 1999

to cease the low income supplement from 1 July 2017; and four Acts to make consequential amendments.

to reduce the refundable and non-refundable rates of the tax offset available under the research and development tax incentive for the first $100 million of eligible expenditure by 1.5 percentage points.